The Okulus #1: Aero Manzinilla, the Mentalist Warrior

PROLOGUE

“Hey, Dad. Good morning.”

Kimberley greeted her dad while making pancakes for breakfast as he walked into the kitchen, the soft sizzle from the pan filling the quiet morning air, the rich scent of batter and butter wrapping around the space like a warm embrace.

“Morning sweetie.” Her dad replied kissing her on her cheek before sitting on one of the breakfast stools, his presence instantly bringing a sense of comfort that Kimberley had always known and cherished.

“Here you go,” Kimberley said placing a plate of pancakes, bacon, and fried eggs with a cup of coffee before him, the meal carefully prepared with love.

“Thanks love.” He thanked her and then began eating, clearly appreciating the effort she put into even the simplest things. Minutes later she joined him with her breakfast, settling into the quiet rhythm of the morning beside him.

Kimberley stole glances at her dad while they ate in silence, her eyes lingering just a little longer each time as if trying to read the emotions he never voiced. Her dad was her world, he was her everything and the only family she had after the death of her mom. The thought alone always stirred something deep within her chest, something heavy yet familiar.

She never had the opportunity to meet her mom in person because she died after giving birth to her, so, the only memory she has of her mom and the only way she knew what her mom looked like were through the photo albums her dad gave to her, albums she had flipped through countless times, tracing smiles and moments that felt both hers and not hers at all.

Kimberley always wondered how her dad had managed to live these 26 years without remarrying or even dating once even after she had tried hooking him up with someone on several occasions. She ought to be grateful but she couldn’t be.

She felt sad that her dad dedicated his time and years to taking care of her without thinking about himself even once, and to make matters worse she was the spitting image of her mom. Sometimes, when she caught her reflection, even she could see it; the resemblance that ran deeper than just features.

She didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing because she knew how heartbroken her dad was from seeing her face every single day and being reminded of the love of his life, a silent reminder that never truly faded no matter how much time passed.

She sometimes wished she had her dad’s strength because just being away from her fiancé, Ian Gareth who joined the Navy and spends almost the whole year at sea made her miserable. The distance gnawed at her in ways she couldn’t always explain, leaving behind an ache that lingered through days.

So she could only imagine what her dad was going through deep inside while trying to conceal his hurt on the outside, and to think she was the reason behind his pain. The realization always came with a quiet sting she couldn’t shake.

If only she wasn’t brought into this world, then her dad wouldn’t be this lonely.

“Honey, aren’t you going to the hospital today?” Mr. Wright asked bringing his daughter out of her train of thoughts, his voice gentle yet grounding, pulling her back to the present.

“I’m on night shift today,” she replied and he nodded in understanding, accepting her answer without question.

Kimberley just then remembered that she hadn’t mentioned anything about Ian’s return, the thought surfacing suddenly and catching her slightly off guard.

“Um… Dad?”

“Yes, sweetie,”

Her heart flutters whenever her dad calls her by any of her pet names, the familiar warmth spreading through her chest in an instant. She never seems to grow up in his eyes and she won’t deny that she loves being treated like a little girl. It helps her sometimes to forget about the real world and the fact that she is an adult. She feels so lucky to have a father like him, a man who had given her everything without asking for anything in return.

“Um… Ian will be coming back tomorrow. I know I should’ve told you about it earlier but I forgot about it. I’m sorry.” She hurriedly explained, making her dad chuckle at how fast she spoke, her words tumbling over each other in a rush.

“It’s okay. I’m happy to hear that, at least you won’t have that worried look on your face anymore.” Her dad replied causing her to smile timidly, the softness in his tone easing her earlier worries.

How did her dad know she was worried about Ian? She thought she was hiding her emotions pretty well. Oh well, she guessed she was an open book, especially to him.

“I better leave now or else I’ll be late,” Mr. Wright said wiping his mouth with a napkin, pushing his stool back as he prepared to head out.

“Oh, okay.” She replied standing up from her stool to give her dad a goodbye hug, wrapping her arms around him just a little tighter than usual.

“See you later, honey.”

“Bye, Dad.” She said as he placed a kiss on her forehead, a simple gesture that carried years of love and protection.

Kimberley saw her dad to the door and watched as he got into his black Acura MDX crossover and drove off, her gaze following the car until it disappeared from sight, leaving behind a quiet stillness.

She couldn’t help but feel bad for him because for a professor he was overworking himself. She knows he is using his work as a distraction from the hurt he is feeling inside, burying himself in responsibilities to avoid facing what still lingered in his heart.

Letting out a heavy sigh, she walked back into the house, the silence now more noticeable without him around. All she needed to do now was rest and then later make dinner for her dad before leaving for the hospital, slipping back into the routine that defined her days.